How far is Richmond, KY from Frankfort, KY?
The driving distance from Richmond, KY to Frankfort, KY is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km), with a travel time of about 00h 51m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 44.4 miles (71.5 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 01h 43m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 00h 51m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
The most populous city in Kentucky and the center of the Lexington-Fayette metropolitan area.
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Richmond and Frankfort.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Richmond and Frankfort.
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1
Start on North 2nd Street
32 m · 6 sec · North 2nd Street
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2
Turn right onto West Main Street
2460 ft · 46 sec · West Main Street
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3
Continue on Lexington Road
1.6 mi · 2 min · Lexington Road
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4
Turn left onto Lexington Road
1262 ft · 28 sec · Lexington Road
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5
Take the ramp slight right
1702 ft · 42 sec
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6
Merge slight left
27.4 mi · 29 min
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7
Keep slight left to continue on I 64 West: Frankfort, Louisville
16.6 mi · 18 min
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8
Take the exit slight right toward US 60: Versailles, Frankfort
1471 ft · 36 sec
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9
Keep slight right to continue on Frankfort
71 m · 8 sec
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10
Merge slight left onto Versailles Road
1.1 mi · 2 min · Versailles Road
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11
Take the exit slight left
1549 ft · 24 sec
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12
Turn straight onto East-West Connector
1.8 mi · 2 min · East-West Connector
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13
Turn right onto Martin Luther King Drive
1.2 km · 1 min · Martin Luther King Drive
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14
Turn left onto East Main Street
1.2 km · 2 min · East Main Street
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15
Turn right onto East Broadway Street
137 m · 22 sec · East Broadway Street
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16
Turn right onto High Street
142 m · 17 sec · High Street
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17
Turn left onto West Clinton Street
75 m · 7 sec · West Clinton Street
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18
Turn right onto Elk Alley
135 m · 19 sec · Elk Alley
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19
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · Elk Alley
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Richmond and Frankfort.
Turn-heavy local drive
The route has frequent decision points for its length, so lane choice and turn timing will matter more than cruising speed.
Lexington Road
Merge slight left
27.4 mi · 00h 29m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Richmond and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Frankfort.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Richmond to Frankfort?
The road trip is about 52.1 miles (83.8 km) and usually takes 00h 51m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Lexington-Fayette is a useful midpoint, sitting about 26 miles from Richmond and 26 miles from Frankfort.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 44.4 miles (71.5 km), while the road route adds roughly 7.7 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 4:46 PM EDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $6.94 one way or $13.88 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 16.4 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms around Richmond and Showers And Thunderstorms Likely near Frankfort.
Stop Ideas Near Lexington-Fayette
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Lexington-Fayette.
Maysville
Louisville, Kentucky
Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal
Cincinnati, OH
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Richmond and Frankfort. Straight-line distance: 44.42 mi (71.49 km).
#1 Richmond
City in and the county seat of Madison County, Kentucky, United States
| Population | 36,800 |
| Coordinates | 37.7478600, -84.2946500 |
| Altitude | 289 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Frankfort
County seat city in Franklin County, Kentucky, USA and Kentucky federated state capital city
| Population | 27,715 |
| Coordinates | 38.2009100, -84.8732800 |
| Altitude | 155 |
| Country | United States |
End: Elk Alley (-84.873307, 38.200921)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 84 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 01h 44m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 01h 18m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 01h 02m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 00h 52m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 00h 44m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 00h 38m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $6.94 | $13.88 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $7.83 | $15.65 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $8.56 | $17.13 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $9.76 | $19.52 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Kentucky · Apr 18, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.